Meeting your own Shadow

Janna sat on one of the chairs at the Tavern in Rose Garden. She was feeling tired, but satisfied. She had managed to discover quite a few things for the Sombras family. Like for example the fact that Simon Sombras and Adelaide Sombras were Dark Mages. Not many things were known about her father, except for his name, Jason. She took the glass full of alcohol to her mouth and took a small sip. She liked drinking, and she'd usually stay in Savage Skull and drink, but this day she had gotten the ods to go to Rose Garden. She was in a good mood, for the first time in forever. Her blonde hair wasn't tied, and she was wearing a pink ship-neck shirt and daisy dukes. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she continued drinking, looking forward.
'' Hello, beautiful. I see that the angels have decided to leave heaven and come down today.'' A guy next to Janna said. She looked at him and noticed instantly that he was trying to flirt with her. Oh no. This was not happening.
'' I'm sorry to tell you this, but heaven does not exist. Now please leave me alone.'' She said, her mood instantly going from bright to gloomy.
'' Oh, but it does exist. You came from heaven to visit me~.'' The guy continued. He was utterly ugly, and Janna had no intention to deal with him.
'' Leave me alone.'' She growled and let her left hand fall, summoning her dagger without being seen.
'' Oi, darling, why so stiff?'' He put a hand around her waist. Janna immediately turned around and put the dagger against his neck, her expression furious.
But then, something utterly strange happened. Something that made Janna tremble for a second.

Hunger… Food… anger…

That was what the entity inside was thinking, it was waking up for the first time since Janna’s birth. Sealed away when that accursed with put a curse on her, but now he was back and after so long was feeling… hungry. He had not eaten anything for over 16 years, it was time to feast. It was time to make people learn what a true monster is. It opened his eyes and could feel calm… bliss and happiness. It was so soothing that it was going back to sleep. Hunger would be satiated later, but the serenity did not last long. He could feel her anger, her peace shattered and that sweet sense of pure hate. She wished him dead, to have his entire life fade to black. His entire being fade to black. His existence fade to black. Who was he to deny her that subconscious will?

There was a loud audible growl that could be heard both in Janna’s head and to the poor sap that was going to die soon. It was the sound of something dark, feral and hungry. It lasted for a single second before 4 shadow tendrils began to come out of her back, a sense power could be felt as they slithered over Janna’s body like snakes, slithering around her arms and to the man he grabbed. That was all the warning he got, the tendrils becoming snake heads that bit him in the throat, shoulders and stomach and slammed him on the table. The man did not even have time to scream as he choked on his own blood as the shadow snakes started to bite him again and again, ripping chunks of meat and swallowing it. Blood, meat and bones flew across the room, painting the place crimson with the entrails. Mercifully the man stopped moving and the snakes wrapped around the body and pulled him in, upon touching Janna’s skin, it started to get absorbed by shadows and disappearing inside of her body. There was no trace of the man or his existence. It was like if the man never existed in the first place.

It was still not over, the sickening sounds of bones snapping and flesh being eaten could still be heard in Jannas mind, as well as a loud purr. Whatever was in Janna’s body was content and fed, but what was it? Enemy of friend to Janna?

Suddenly, Janna heard a growl in her head. Her grip on the katana lightened a bit. Then suddenly, four black tendrils began appearing from her back, slowly but progressively, going around her shaking arms like snakes. They went at the man that was harrassing Janna and, the tendrils suddenly became snakes and bit the man's throat. Janna could hear the yells of pure terror from around the bar, and she could hear people running out. But her eyes were looking straight at the snake and their pray. Did she summon those snakes? Were they some kind of magic that she had unleashed in the Sombras manor and she didn't know about? What was going on? The creature continued torturing and biting the man as Janna watched, paralized in terror. She had never seen something so terrifying in her life. She was used to killing, but this, this was beyond everything she had seen. The man began choking with his own blood. The snakes began eating the man's body, ripping off his flesh. Blood, meat, bones and internal organs flew around the room, making it look terrible. Janna was sure that even the steadiest Dark Mage would freak out at this sight. Then, suddenly, the man and the snakes went towards Janna's body. After a second, there wasn't a trace of the man or of the snakes. As if nothing had happened.
But the bloody crime scene proved otherwise. And the sickening sounds of snapping bones and flesh being eaten could still be heard in the ReQuip Mage's mind, so she fell on her knees, her katana dissapearing, and took her hands to her ears in a stupid attempt to stop the sound, though it was not coming from the outside of her head, but from the inside. When the sickening sounds stopped, a loud purr was heard. Janna took off her hands from her ears. She was pale, shaking.
And then she noticed that there were Rune Knights approaching. She quickly regained her balance and calm and exquipped the Black Gryphon Armor, then looked at the back, where a single door stood and it led to the outside. Quickly, she flew at it, her black wings flapping quickly, and escaped without being seen. She flew upwards, untilit was impossible to see her, and began flying away from Rose Garden.
After an hour of flying, her armour dissapeared and she fell on the ground, exhausted. She was next to a river. She walked towards it and sat next to it, taking some water and splashing it on her face. '' God Damn it. What in the Name of Hell happened?'' She asked. She noticed that she had finally managed to regain her skin colour and hr hands weren't shaking. She sighed and began touching her back, as if looking for the snakes. They were not there.

There was satisfaction and fulfillment, but now there was a sense of fear creeping into him. His host was scared? Why was she not happy that he was dead? Did his actions displease her? Why was his host running away like she was some prey. Her actions was beginning to confuse the entity that was in her, but decided to wait and see. Panic filled every bone of her body and shivered to Janna’s soul, which affected the shadow himself. It mattered not as he dozed asleep after a good meal, but would wake up when she landed. What a curious place she landed.

The snakes watched his host silently splash water and try to remain composure. It was kind of working, but she was still scared and nervous. He could feel her sense of worry echo deep into his very soul, but upon the question being asked there was a feral maniacal laugh in her head. This was beautiful, she forgot all about him. The entity that lived inside of her when she was but a baby, but there was something more to it. He could not blame her, she was only a year old. 15 years of watching the world through another person’s eyes would drive anyone crazy… and hungry.

As the laugh continued 4 more snakes came out of the sleeves of her jacket and up her arms, the red glowing eyes stared straight at Janna’s face. They then crawled up her arms and started to rub their cheeks against Janna’s skin. They were cold, but somehow comforting to the touch. As if there was a minor sort of familiarity. The voice chuckled and Janna could feel amusement, happiness…joy? However these were not her thoughts, but seemed to be something else. A hollow voice called out, “Did I displease you? Why are you not glad that he is dead, eaten and turned to black?” Despite saying this, she would not feel any remorse. It enjoyed doing what it did and the soft purring could be heard again.

Janna stood next to the river, hugging her knees, burrying her head in them. SHe could hear a laughter in her head. Was she going mad? Was she losing her mind?

Suddenly, the four snakes reappeared. A sigh escaped Janna's lips. She couldn't feel panic again. This would make her an unappropiate member of a dark guild. A scared member of Savage Skull? Unthinkable. Janna noticeed the snakes caressing her skin softly. They were cold, utterly cold, but there was something comforting in their touch. She reached her hand up and caressed one of the snake heads slightly, smiling. ''Did I displease you? Why are you not glad that he is dead, eaten and turned to black?'' A surprised exclamation escaped Janna's lips. So they could talk? How interesting. She held one of the snake heads in her hand and smiled. '' I am. But I just freaked out. I suddenly had four snakes coming out of my back. You should know that it makes you freak out.'' SHe answered.

The entity in Janna’s had in her body simply paused at her statement. It was true, a predator did not like the unknown happen. He would not have enjoyed it just as much if Janna were to suddenly pull him out unexpectedly. However he decided that instead the overexposure technique will help her ease her mind. Around 50 snakes made of pure shadow could be seen poking out of her skin and writhing on the surface of her skin, cold yet comforting. However they were beginning to cover everything below Janna’s neck. They never stopped moving and just travelled from one end of body to another. The one single snake turned his head in curiosity. Oddly enough there was no aggressive tendencies, just the shadows wriggling from outside her.

“My apologies then, let me introduce you to all of me then, that way there is no more surprises. Your fear makes me fear after all. So why not put up a smile on your face, not everyday you are talking to your own shadow.”

Janna paralized as she noticed about 50 snakes suddenly covering her body. The feeling was utterly strange, like the time when the snake caressed her skin. It was cold, yet comforting, familiar. But this time, this comfort, coldness, this familiarity, it was taken to an entirely new level. Janna didn't know what this entity was planning, and she didn't quite trust it, but she was curious to see what it had in mind. Apparently, it had helped her the first time against that thug, and now it was trying to show her something....

Janna looked at the snake in the eyes, those red eyes that would have scared anyone out of their mind The snake had opened its mouth to tell her something else, and Janna concentrated into listening what it had to say. She was curious, certainly, about what it wanted. It seemed to have something in common with her, maybe it was a magic of hers that has its own personality.

'' My apologies then, let me introduce you to all of me then, that way there is no more surprises. Your fear makes me fear after all. So why not put up a smile on your face, not everyday you are talking to your own shadow.'' The snake said. Janna smiled slightly, it seemed that she was somewhat right, or at least one of her theories: The snake, or snakes, felt the same things she felt. If she was scared, they were scared. If she was angry, they were angry. This at least explained the little scene in the bar.

'' I... you are my shadow? How? Who are you? Do you have your own personality? Are you some sort of curse or blessing? How did I get you into my body? Was I born with you or did my adoptive mother fues you into my body? '' She asked so quickly she doubted the shadow had followed her questions. She quickly muttered a sorry and awaited for the answers to the questions that the snake had managed to understand. She was slightly cold, but she felt incredibly comfortable,a feeling she never wanted to let slip away.

What the shadow did not tell Janna was that it felt the same level of comfort that she was. It was like if they were in a cold embrace of one another. It was 2 dark entities that were in contact with each other, connected by some kind of link. He was feeling comfortable, because Janna was feeling comfortable. There could have been a bigger and more complex explanation, but if there was then it was not telling. It just kept that bit of secret for now, but they were more attached than she thought. It was her shadow after all…

The intertwined and connected with one another until they formed a sort of blanket of shadows to wrap herself around in. There was no reason for the host to feel uncomfortable, but the one snake was still visible. It stared almost confusedly at how fast she was asking questions. There was not even any time to answer the first question at all and for that it just stared and flicked its shadowy tongue. It whispered, “Well if you are going to speak like that, then I better accustom myself to your mind. I will be right back.”

Soon there was the sensation of something wriggling in Janna’s brain, causing an oddly euphoric headache in her. The sensation of something else in her mind, whispering things in the back of her head ensued. However it was still oddly comforting when it talked, a sense of familiarity even. Okay to answer your question in order. Yes I am your shadow. I was with you since your birth, so I cannot answer. My name… I don’t have one. I’d like to think I have my own personality, but it’s influenced by your emotions. I am not a curse or a blessing. Again I was born with you… What you adoptive mother did hurt… I was alone, no way to communicate with you. I could only watch through your eyes all these long years, waiting for the curse to be free. So hungry after all these years… Now I am free to communicate with my host again. To be free…

Janna felt strange. It was like she was embraced by someone she already knew. It was cold, but at the same time so pleasant and familiar. One of the snakes was still observing her with its scarlet red glowing eyes. She was seriously doubting wether to or not to raise her hand, but she had to take the risk and do it. if the creature turned out being evil, she could always requip and try to kill it. And maybe succeed.

Alas, something inside her told her that it didn't want to do her any harm, but it wanted to protect her, fulfill her will and desire. It didn't plan her fall, it wanted to make her happy, somehow. She slowly rose her right hand and put it under the snake's jaw, dragging it slowly and soflty closer to her face. “Well if you are going to speak like that, then I better accustom myself to your mind. I will be right back.”

Suddenly, Janna felt as if something was rummaging through her brain. It was strange, yet. she wasn't suffering at all. A voice resonated through her head. Okay to answer your question in order. Yes I am your shadow. I was with you since your birth, so I cannot answer. My name… I don’t have one. I’d like to think I have my own personality, but it’s influenced by your emotions. I am not a curse or a blessing. Again I was born with you… What you adoptive mother did hurt… I was alone, no way to communicate with you. I could only watch through your eyes all these long years, waiting for the curse to be free. So hungry after all these years… Now I am free to communicate with my host again. To be free…

This whole situation was so strange, so mysterious. Janna was incredibly curious to know more. Apparently, this creature, it was born with her. From her soul. And when Janna 's curse was lifted, he was freed at last. Janna wasn't exactly the most sympathetic person around, she was a dark mage for a reason. But this Shade of hers, it was born with her, it was a part of her family. She sighed and looked around.

'' You... why didn't you try to communicate with me before? You must have suffered too much. Why couldn't I sense your presence as much as I do now? Why can't you leave my body freely?'' She asked calmly this time. She didn't want to ask things too quickly because she knew it would irritate her and the snakes, apparently.

Shade chuckled slightly as the last snake wriggled inside her body, it was done looking at her. She was just as perfect as the day she was born and was easier to communicate in her head. The shadow was inside her and now she could feel every molecule of her body now. Every sense of her being could be felt through him, the bond was greater than she even realized. After a while it settled in properly and it was replaced with a cold comforting feeling, like somebody that would always be there for you. It whispered, “I was always with you Janna, why else do you prefer to be in solitude? Because you were never alone… I was always whispers in your mind, but now I have a voice that is stronger. Shadows never suffer… They only wait… And as for leaving your body it would be like tearing a piece of your soul out… It will be quite painful to both of us… but if you desire more power from me then you simply need to pull me out.”

Tearing a piece of my soul out, eh? Can it be this bad?

She had to free him. Or her. Or it. Janna was not entirely sure what this shadow was, but she had to free it. She couldn't make it remain trapped inside of her. It should be able to walk, talk, laugh, live as it wants. If it wants to leave Janna one day, it should be able to do so whenever it wants. Janna cleared her throat and looked around, hoping nobody was around to withness whatever was about to happen. If someone saw it, many things could happen. She wasn't possibly he most famous dark mage around, but with the scene in the bar... Damn, she could be recognised and given to the Rune Knights. Go and try to explain that a shadow that lived inside you killed this guy. People would think you're insane.

'' How do I pull you out? Do you want to come out?'' It was all she wanted to know. She wanted to know if she wanted to leave her body, or remain with her, and, if he wanted to leave, how could she pull him out?